My second day of Fringing comes to a close with an overall enjoyable evening at the Tarragon, and three one-man shows.
The Adversary
Written and performed by Andrew Bailey, the Adversary follows a standard Fringe form of confessional monologue. The story, reportedly crafted from Mr. Bailey's ten years as an inner city chuch caretaker, explores themes of justice, and faith.
The generally episodic stories of Bailey's encounters with the drug addicts who would shoot up on the church grounds, and the relationships he forges with them, is well crafted and Bailey's characterizations are well executed. I found myself wanting more from the performance, however. The moments of tension needed more tension, the moments of pathos, more pathos.
However, to his credit, the show avoid the typical pitfall of becoming therapy, and stays firmly in the realm of theatre.
Good show, good storytelling, but falling short of great.
Check it out!
The Hatter
Writen and performed by Andrew Wade, this is a strangely interactive experience with the Mad Hatter of Alice in Wonderland, who has found himself in our world and searches for a way back home.
I would classify the show as being in workshop state, which is fine for a Fringe show. Some things worked, some did not. Wade's take on the nature of the Hatter and of Wonderland are both interesting concepts, and there is depth there to be mined. The pacing was uneven, the final plotline reveals were a bit unsatisfying, and the ending was at times didactic.
All this said, the show has promise. Wade himself has some excellent moments, but needs tighter direction. The script, as well, needs more attention paid to the shape of the tale. The friend I watched it with pointed out that the show would likely be more successful as a two-hander, with one person squarely playing The Hatter, and another playing the wonderland characters with which he interacts. I would agree.
Yes, as the program indicated, free tea is served as you enter the theatre, and there is a good selection. If you will allow me a badly extended pun, however, the show was also a bit of a mixed bag.
Battle of the Bastards
Writen and performed by David Ladderman, with excerpt from William Shakespeare.
I liked this show, a romp through one of the secondary plots of King Lear, and that keeps you smiling all the while. Focused on the plotline of Gloucester, Edmond, and Edgar, the show takes its cues from some of the best of YouTube. Ladderman plays out highlights of the tragedy, filling in the the plotline, and providing commentary with very funny side commentary.
To his credit Ladderman avoids placing his tongue in his cheeck during the scene highlights, providing generally strong, honest performances of the material. The eye gouging scene is an exception to this rule, but provided the fun was obviously had with the play, not at the expense of it. At the performacne I attended, it also provided some of the most enjoyable audience participation I'd seen in a while.
Speaking of which, yes, there is audience participation, but Ladderman handles both it, and the audience with aplomb. It is never awkward, and always engaging. Sort of Shakespeare meets standup, in a good way.
When all is said and done, this show doesn't really have much to say, and I suspect that is to its credit. What it does do is engage and entertain for an hour, and throws in some Bard for good measure.
Certainly worth checking out!
The Adversary
Written and performed by Andrew Bailey, the Adversary follows a standard Fringe form of confessional monologue. The story, reportedly crafted from Mr. Bailey's ten years as an inner city chuch caretaker, explores themes of justice, and faith.
The generally episodic stories of Bailey's encounters with the drug addicts who would shoot up on the church grounds, and the relationships he forges with them, is well crafted and Bailey's characterizations are well executed. I found myself wanting more from the performance, however. The moments of tension needed more tension, the moments of pathos, more pathos.
However, to his credit, the show avoid the typical pitfall of becoming therapy, and stays firmly in the realm of theatre.
Good show, good storytelling, but falling short of great.
Check it out!
The Hatter
Writen and performed by Andrew Wade, this is a strangely interactive experience with the Mad Hatter of Alice in Wonderland, who has found himself in our world and searches for a way back home.
I would classify the show as being in workshop state, which is fine for a Fringe show. Some things worked, some did not. Wade's take on the nature of the Hatter and of Wonderland are both interesting concepts, and there is depth there to be mined. The pacing was uneven, the final plotline reveals were a bit unsatisfying, and the ending was at times didactic.
All this said, the show has promise. Wade himself has some excellent moments, but needs tighter direction. The script, as well, needs more attention paid to the shape of the tale. The friend I watched it with pointed out that the show would likely be more successful as a two-hander, with one person squarely playing The Hatter, and another playing the wonderland characters with which he interacts. I would agree.
Yes, as the program indicated, free tea is served as you enter the theatre, and there is a good selection. If you will allow me a badly extended pun, however, the show was also a bit of a mixed bag.
Battle of the Bastards
Writen and performed by David Ladderman, with excerpt from William Shakespeare.
I liked this show, a romp through one of the secondary plots of King Lear, and that keeps you smiling all the while. Focused on the plotline of Gloucester, Edmond, and Edgar, the show takes its cues from some of the best of YouTube. Ladderman plays out highlights of the tragedy, filling in the the plotline, and providing commentary with very funny side commentary.
To his credit Ladderman avoids placing his tongue in his cheeck during the scene highlights, providing generally strong, honest performances of the material. The eye gouging scene is an exception to this rule, but provided the fun was obviously had with the play, not at the expense of it. At the performacne I attended, it also provided some of the most enjoyable audience participation I'd seen in a while.
Speaking of which, yes, there is audience participation, but Ladderman handles both it, and the audience with aplomb. It is never awkward, and always engaging. Sort of Shakespeare meets standup, in a good way.
When all is said and done, this show doesn't really have much to say, and I suspect that is to its credit. What it does do is engage and entertain for an hour, and throws in some Bard for good measure.
Certainly worth checking out!